Canadian Military Colleges graduates are trailblazers living up to the Truth, Duty and Valour motto. These leaders have shown exemplary skills in various fields and have proved the effectiveness of the four pillars of education, athletics, bilingualism and military leadership. Today and every day, we celebrate these inspirational leaders.
To mark the occasion of International Women’s Day, we got you some words of wisdom and insights from some of our trailblazer alumnae, including:
Brigadier-General, Virginia Tattersall, CD, Director General Compensation and Benefits (DGCB), Chief Military Personnel, Canadian Armed Forces
Dr. Denise Campbell-Scherer, Associate Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta and CEO, The Illuminate Partners Corp.
Brigadier-General Carla Harding, Canadian Armed Forces
France Hebert, Vice-President and General Manager, Defence & Security, CAE
Judith Bennett, P.Eng., Director General Materiel Systems and Supply Chain, Department of National Defence, Government of Canada
Eva Martinez, Senior Director, In-Service Support (ISS) Business Development, Bluedrop Training & Simulation
These alumnae have broken barriers, enacted change, and overcome challenges in their journey, and they continue to bring change that matters and paves the way for the future generation. Today and every day, we celebrate these inspirational leaders! Happy International Women’s Day 2023. Let’s work together to stand against any bias or injustice in the community. Let’s work to provide an inclusive and welcoming environment to ALL.
I am a Graduate of RMC Class of 1959. (4507) . We didn’t have women cadets in those years. It’s amazing and very fulfilling for everyone that in the ensuing years women have come so far and achieved so much.
CONGRATULATIONS to each and everyone of you.
Outstanding role models for current and future female cadets, including our granddaughter who is currently in second year at RMC.
7761 MMJ (RMC ’69)
Bob Walsh, RMC Class of ’59. When I left the military in ’82 and joined the Public Service, I took on a job that had over 200 females on staff – mostly at the keyboard levels. I along with a coterie of senior NCOs started a program where we selected a few females in each building to take “classes” to enhance their potential to win competitions to advance in the Public Service. That routine was still in place when I retired 13 years later. Skip forward a couple of decades+ to the middle of the pandemic. I received an email from one of those selected. She was sending me an email on St Patrick’s day to thank me and wished that I could be there. She was in a pub celebrating her retirement as a Director. Her final comment was expressed in phrase that I’ll never forget. “From the keyboard to Director. Thanks.” I saved that email and it brings tears to my eyes every time I bring it up, including now.
Awesome to read about these wonderful women leading Canada. I am proud to know some and many others including those in the first class of 32. Well done and keep going!